Public servants protected from being individually sued under new legislation

Police officers and other public servants can no longer be individually sued while on the job.

Parliament passed the legislation, which was introduced by Premier Campbell Newman in November last year as the fulfilment of an election promise, granting protection to public officers from civil action.

Any action against "public service employees, police and other persons in particular circumstances relating to engaging in conduct in an official capacity" will be transferred to the state

But it also includes a clause which would allow the government to recoup any costs from a successful action, if the state employee was found to "have engaged in conduct other than good faith, and with gross negligence".

It follows the case of Brisbane Constable Benjamin Arndt, who was found guilty of the assault of a homeless man, Bruce Rowe, in 2006.

Mr Rowe brought a private prosecution against Mr Arndt following his own arrest.

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Mr Arndt was eventually found guilty in 2011, fined $1000 and ordered to pay the court costs.

The Police Union has campaigned ever since for a change to the laws and Mr Newman said he had been listening.

"As I noted when I introduced this bill, it is about letting Queensland's public servants know — letting our police, our teachers, our doctors and nurses, our staff on the front desk of client service centres — that they will be supported in performing their roles," he said in parliament.

"It does not take away the responsibility or accountability.

"...The bill does provide a level of certainty for our employees that does not currently exist, and this certainty will ultimately contribute to better service outcomes for the Queensland community."